New Music Tuesday 6/11/13 Featuring The Silent Comedy, Matthew Mayfield, Irontom

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Kristen

Lots of delicious music coming out this summer. I don’t know how I feel about all the abbreviated EPs (versus full length albums), but I guess that is the way of things. As long as my favorites keep putting amazing new tunes in my ears, I cannot complain. Here’s what I’ve been listening to this week:

The Silent Comedy – Friends
Divide EP

The wait for new Silent Comedy material has been somewhat
painful, but now I can rejoice as one of my favorite bands has released a
collection of new gems. As a whole, the record seems less aggressive than I’m
used to from a typically raucous Silent Comedy show, but there is still a familiar
edge and tell-tale musicality that can transport you another time and place
that long-time TSC fans might call The Church of The Silent Comedy. This is a
place where the whiskey flows and the world seems a better place, not because
it is not dark, but because in that darkness we know we are not alone. In other words, go out and buy this record as
you’ll be better for it.

Matthew Mayfield –Irons
in the Fire EP

One listen to the first track off this EP and I’m sold. Matthew has an amazing ability to produce instantly impactful songs that have both an emotional intensity and rough, rocker edge. This EP translates the Mayfield magic to its recorded form surprisingly well making it a very easy purchasing decision. As a bonus, the EP includes a couple new versions of the smoldering “Fire Escape”.

Irontom– Nitro EP

This one came out last week, but as it has been on repeat in my itunes since then, I would be remiss to not mention it. LMN Band Love Irontom plays somewhat frenzied rock songs and after a few listens, it is hard not to get caught up and swept away in the band’s refreshing take on the genre. This band, for me, has become an addiction. Take a listen and join me!

Some other CDs out today worth checking out:

Young Summer – Fever Dream EP http://www.youngsummermusic.com/
Glass Kids – Unblinded EP http://glasskids.bandcamp.com/album/unblinded
Andrew Stockdale – Keep Moving EP http://andrewstockdale.com/
Aoife O’Donovan – Fossils http://aoifeodonovan.com/
Goo Goo Dolls – Magnetic http://www.googoodolls.com/magnetic
Jimmy Eat World – Damage http://jimmyeatworld.com/
Bob Schneider – Burden of Proof http://www.bobschneider.com/
Joseph Arthur – Ballad of Boogie Christ http://www.josepharthur.com/
The Almost – Fear Inside Our Bones http://www.thealmost.com/
Frankie & The Heartstrings – The Days Run Away http://frankieandtheheartstrings.com/
Emily Wells – Mama Acoustic Recordings http://www.emilywellsmusic.com/

~ Kristen

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 5/13-5/19

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Amanda

It’s a scorcher outside! Whew! I’m glad I’m safely back inside with the air conditioning on because it’s kind of miserable out in the sun. Misery can easily be relieved if you chose to venture out to a show. With a cold drink in your hand and some tunes for your ears, you should be doing just fine. Unless the place you’re at decided not to turn on any air. I’ve been there. It’s not fun.

Monday: All Time Low @ House of Blues at 7pm

Tuesday: Go to the beach

Wednesday: Dead Feather Moon @ Griffin at 9pm
AND: Blacktop Royalty @ Casbah at 9pm

Thursday: Beer Fest featuring Oliver Trolley @ Belly Up at 7pm
AND: The Western Scene, Jackson Price @ El Dorado at 9pm
AND: Sons of Fathers, Deadly Birds @ Soda Bar at 9pm
AND: Bart Mendoza and True Stories @ Riviera Supper Club at 9pm
AND: Island Boy @ Griffin at 9pm
AND: Okapi Sun @ Casbah at 9pm

Friday: Jimmy Eat World, IAMDYNAMITE @ House of Blues at 7:30pm
AND: The Burning of Rome, Low Volts, New Kinetics @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: The Styletones @ Bar Pink at 9pm

Saturday: Wayward Sons @ Belly Up at 9pm
AND: A Mayfield Affair @ Lestats at 9pm
AND: Damien Jurado, John Meeks @ Soda Bar at 8:30pm

Sunday: The Appleseed Cast @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: The Black Angels @ Belly Up at 9pm
AND: Hands, Social Club, Super Water Sympathy @ Soda Bar at 8:30pm

Keep in Mind:
May 21st- JJAMZ, Hills Like Elephants @ Griffin
May 22nd- Bloc Party @ House of Blues
May 23rd- Jay Nash @ Soda Bar
May 23rd- The Neighbourhood @ House of Blues Side Stage
May 25th- Cold War Kids @ Belly Up
May 27th- Cold War Kids @ Belly Up
May 29th- !!! @ Casbah
May 30th- The Tilt @ Belly Up
May 31st- Little Hurricane, The Stone Foxes, The Hollerin @ Belly Up
May 31st- Tame Impala @ House of Blues
June 1st- Imagine Dragons @ SDSU Open Air Theater
June 2nd- CHVRCHES @ Belly Up
June 3rd- Mumford and Sons @ Sleep Train Amphitheater
June 4th- Scott Weiland @ House of Blues
June 7th- Newfound Glory @ House of Blues
June 8th- Neon Trees @ Vista Murrieta High School
June 8th- SPF 94/9 – Matt & Kim, Younblood Hawke, Capital Cities, Family of the Year, The Mowgli’s, The Palace Ballroom
June 16th- They Might Be Giants @ Belly Up
June 19th- Warped Tour @ Sleep Train Ampitheater
June 20th- Sea Wolf and Savior Adore @ Belly Up
June 21st- She and Him @ SDSU Open Air Theater
July 2nd- Summerland Tour feat: Everclear, Live, Filter, Sponge
July 10th- Portugal. The Man @ House of Blues
July 11th- Say Anything, Eisley, I the Mighty @ House of Blues
July 21st- The Postal Service @ SDSU Open Air Theater
July 24th- Matchbox Twenty and The Goo Goo Dolls @ Valley View Casino Center
July 28th- Peter Murphy @ Belly Up
September 6th- Dave Matthews Band @ Cricket Wireless
September 20th- X-Fest feat: Blink 182, 30 Seconds to Mars, The Offspring Silversun Pickups, Fitz and the Tantrums, Atlas Genius, Capital Cities, New Politics
September 20th- Young Dubliners @ Belly Up
September 22nd- Depeche Mode @ Sleep Train Amiptheatre
September 22nd- Fall Out Boy @ Valley View Casino Center
October 4th- Phillip Phillips @ Sleep Train Amiptheatre

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 5/13-5/19

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Amanda

Monday: All Time Low @ House of Blues at 7pm

Tuesday: Go to the beach

Wednesday: Dead Feather Moon @ Griffin at 9pm
AND: Blacktop Royalty @ Casbah at 9pm

Friday: Jimmy Eat World, IAMDYNAMITE @ House of Blues at 7:30pm
AND: The Burning of Rome, Low Volts, New Kinetics @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: The Styletones @ Bar Pink at 9pm

Saturday: Wayward Sons @ Belly Up at 9pm
AND: A Mayfield Affair @ Lestats at 9pm
AND: Damien Jurado, John Meeks @ Soda Bar at 8:30pm

Sunday: The Appleseed Cast @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: The Black Angels @ Belly Up at 9pm
AND: Hands, Social Club, Super Water Sympathy @ Soda Bar at 8:30pm

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 9/26-10/2

Posted on September 25, 2011 by Kristen

So, it has begun. The ten weeks of the fall quarter in which my time for musical outings is greatly reduced. The joys of being a teaching assistant. Anyway, need to keep this brief. I’ve got work to do. Let me know how great all the shows are…

What I’d love to do this week:

Monday: Big Black Delta at FREE The Satellite (11pm)…last night of the residency
ALSO: Red Circle Underground FREE at Silverlake Lounge (10pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: it’s a school night featuring Ben Folds at Bardot (10pm)

Tuesday: Beverly McClellan and Mariah McManus at The Hotel Cafe (7, 9)
ALSO: George Stanford at The Foundry (8pm)
ALSO: Brett Hite at The W Hotel (8pm)
ALSO: Queen Caveat at The Mint (9:45)
ALSO: Rival Sons at Fingerprints in Long Beach (7pm)
ALSO: J Scott Bergman at Silverlake Lounge (11pm)
ALSO: Lisa Hannigan at The El Rey (10pm)
ALSO: Happy Hour with Ari Shrine at Saint Rocke (6pm)

Weds: Jens Lekman at the Masonic Lodge in The Hollywood Forever Cemetery (8pm)
ALSO: The Muddy Reds at Silverlake Lounge (11pm)
ALSO: Jamestown Revival at X Bar Patio Lounge The Century Plaza (8:30)
ALSO: Puddle of Mudd at The Viper Room (11:20)
ALSO: Joe Purdy at The Hotel Cafe (9:30)
ALSO: An Evening in the Round with Garrison Starr, Dawn Thomas, Adrianne, and Maia Sharp at Room 5 (9pm)

Thursday: Dead Sara at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: Inverse, Purple Melon, and Love and a .38 at The Key Club (8pm)
ALSO: Terraplane Sun and Ry Cuming at The Hotel Cafe (8,9)
ALSO: Jimmy Eat World at The Wiltern (7pm)

Friday: Jake Newton and Keaton Simons at The Hotel Cafe (10,11)…Jake Newton’s Record Release show
ALSO: The Elizabeth Kill at Molly Malone’s (10pm)
ALSO: Hugh Laurie at The Mint (9pm)
ALSO: Juke Kartel at The Viper Room (11pm)
ALSO: Esperanza Spalding at The Orpheum Theatre (8pm)

Saturday: Kozmonaut, Queen Caveat, and Halos at The Viper Room (10,11,12)
ALSO: David and Devine at Molly Malone’s (9pm)
ALSO: Assemble the Skyline and Kyle Nicolaides at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Portugal, The Man at Avalon (7pm)

Sunday: Zero 1 at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Steve Poltz at The Satellite (10pm)

To Keep in Mind:
October 5-9^th: Culture Collide Festival
October 8^th: Michael Tolcher at The Hotel Cafe
October 9^th: Michael Tolcher at Saint Rocke
October 10^th: The Silent Comedy at Bardot
October 11^th: Rival Sons and Evanescence at Hollywood Palladium
October 11^th: Switchfoot and Anberlin at The Wiltern
October 14th: Butterfly Boucher at Bootleg Theater
October 17^th: Youngblood Hawke and Imagine Dragons at The Satellite
October 18^th: Portishead at The Shrine
October 19^th: Melissa Ferrick and Harper Blynn at The Hotel Cafe
October 22^nd: The War on Drugs at The Satellite
November 3^rd: Twin Atlantic and Awolnation at The Music Box
November 4^th: Mike Doughty at The El Rey
November 7^th: Lights at The El Rey
November 8^th: Thrice at The Mayan Theater
November 8^th: First Aid Kit at The Troubadour
November 11^th: Jack’s Mannequin and The Academ Is… at The El Rey
November 12^th: Feist at The WIltern
November 13^th: Milk Carton Kids at The El Rey
November 17^th: Marketa Irglova at The Troubadour
November 19^th: Milo Greene, The Belle Brigade, and The Civil Wars at The Wiltern
November 29^th: Rachel Yamagata at The Troubadour
March 13^th-18^th: SXSW (Austin, TX)

~ Kristen

http://twitter.com/#!/_localmusicnat

Amanda’s Show Calendar 12/6-12/12

Posted on December 6, 2010 by Amanda

Well it looks like Monday is upon us again which means a fresh week of shows!

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend and was able to make it out to see Mississippi Man for one of their last shows ever! It was a wonderful show and they will be missed on the scene.

But let us get to the shows for this week…

Monday: Dead Feather Moon @ The Casbah @9 $6
AND: The Silent Comedy @ U-31 @9 $FREE before 9pm

Tuesday: Dandy Warhols @ The Belly Up @8 $23 adv/$25 day of

Wednesday: Bedouin Soundclash @ The Belly Up @9 $15 adv/$17 day of
AND: Echo Revolution @ Soda Bar @9 $7

Thursday: Tape Deck Mountain @ The Whistlestop @9
AND: Fever Sleeves @ The Casbah @9 $10

Friday: Delta Spirit @ House of Blues San Diego @7 $16 adv/$18 day of
AND: Longstay @ The Ruby Room @9
AND: Sophie 103.7 Green Christmas @ Dreamcatcher at Viejas Natasha Bedingfield, Plain White T’s, and Neon Trees
AND: New Mexico @ Soda Bar @9 $5
AND: Red Pony Clock @ Tin Can Alehouse @930 $5

Saturday: FM 94.9 Holiday Hootenanny w/Black Keys, Against Me!, The Temper Trap, Sleigh Bells, and Tokyo Police Club @ Rimac Arena $40
AND: Josh Damigo @ Lestats @9

Sunday: Wrex the Halls w/Smashing Pumpkins, My Chemical Romance, Bad Religion, Jimmy Eat World, Anberlin, Switchfoot, A Day to Remember @ Viejas Arena $36-$63
AND: Joey Ryan, Kenneth Pattengale @ Lestats @9

Keep in Mind:
December 13th- Star 94.1 Jingle Ball @ Anthology 6:3o- David Archuleta and Orianthi 9:00- Ryan Star and Sara Bareilles
December 15th- Billy Idol @ House of Blues SD @8 $Prices Vary
December 19th- Sophie@103.7 Holiday of Miracles – A Benefit for Rady Children’s presented by Cox Communications feat. Lifehouse with Christina Perri @ House of Blues $32 or $50 adv/$32.50 or $52.50 day of
December 20th- Lesands and White Apple Tree @ The Casbah @9 $FREE
December 31st- Transfer @ The Casbah @10 $20 adv/$25 day of
January 11th- 30 Seconds to Mars @ House of Blues San Diego
January 12th- 30 Seconds to Mars @ House of Blues San Diego
January 29th- Underoath, Thursday, A Skylit Drive, Animals as Leaders @ Soma @7 $20

Kristen’s Concert Calendar 9/27-10/4

Posted on September 27, 2010 by Amanda

Epicenter was fantastic…fantastically hot. But fun was definitely had as I got to see some of my favorite bands, meet a couple new ones, and see some big groups I never would have seen otherwise. But the lesson of the weekend is definitely one Douglas Adams would approve of: always carry a towel! More on our adventures in Fontana to come.

My fave group of the weekend, Biffy Clyro, is playing Bootleg Theater on Thursday so if you weren’t able to make it to Epicenter over the weekend be sure to venture to Booleg on Thursday. But first, tonight (Monday), Semi Precious Weapons invades the El Rey. This group buts on the most insane show I’ve ever seen and it’s not to be missed.

As for the rest (so many good shows this week, it will be very hard to choose):

Monday: Semi Precious Weapons at El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Hellen Stellar and Moving Picture Show FREE at Spaceland (9pm)
ALSO: Chasing Kings and Pacific Hurt FREE at The Echo (8:30)
ALSO: Juke Kartel Record Release at The Hotel Café (9:30)
ALSO: The Black Keys and Nicole Atkins at Hollywood Palladium (7pm)
ALSO: A Fine Frenzy FREE (with RSVP) at Bardot http://www.itsaschoolnight.com (10pm)
ALSO: Alice Wallace at The Mint (7:30)
ALSO: Pete Yorn at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Paris Carney and Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (8,9)

Tuesday: Landon Pigg and Guster at The Troubadour (8:15, 9)
ALSO: Ellie Goulding at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Anna Nalick at The Hotel Café (10pm)
ALSO: The Black Keys and Nicole Atkins at Hollywood Palladium (7pm)
ALSO: Sara Barellies and Greg Laswell at The Orphium (8pm)

Weds: Parade of Lights at El Cid (10:30)
ALSO: Electric Touch at Silverlake Lounge (11pm)
ALSO: Sarah Harmer at Spaceland (9pm)
ALSO: Mikel Paris (of OAR) and WPA f. Sean Watkins and Glenn Phillips (8, 9:30)
ALSO: The Felice Brothers at The Echo (8:30)
ALSO: Jimmy Eat World and We Were Promised Jetpacks at The Wiltern (7pm)

Thursday: Biffy Clyro at Bootleg (10:30)
ALSO: Queen Caveat at Silverlake Lounge (9pm)
ALSO: Jukebox the Ghost at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: Volcano Dolls at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Spoon at Hollywood Palladium (7pn)
ALSO: Train and NeedtoBreathe at The Greek Theater (7:30)
ALSO: Brian Ray at The Mint (8pm)

Friday: Brandi Carlile and The Avett Brothers at Nokia Theater (8pm)
ALSO: Fight From Above, Fat City Reprise, The Shakers at The Viper Room (10, 11:30, 12:30)
ALSO: Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers at The Hollywood Bowl (7:30)
ALSO: Kyle Riabko at The Hotel Café (8pm)
ALSO: Ludo at The Key Club (10pm)
ALSO: Aimee Mann at Largo (8:30)

Saturday: Truth & Salvage Co. at The Troubadour (9:15)
ALSO: Raining Jane and Keaton Simons at The Hotel Café (10,11)
ALSO: Prohibition Rose at The Cat Club

Sunday: Aimee Mann at Largo (8:30)
ALSO: Belle & Sebastian at The Hollywood Bowl (7:30)…this one is for the student in my discussion section who likes this band J

To Keep in Mind:

October 8^th: Crash Kings, Civil Twilight, and Anberin at The House of Blues
October 13^th: Frightened Rabbit at The Mayan Theater
October 17^th: Joe Firstman at The Hotel Café
October 18^th: Mumford & Sons at The Hollywood Palladium
October 28^th: Foxy Shazam and Free Energy at The Troubadour
October 29^th: Nico Vega at The Roxy
November 2^nd: Ingrid Michaelson at The Troubadour
November 4^th: Five for Fighting at The Brixton
November 5^th: Bayside at The Toubadour
November 8^th-10^th: A Perfect Circle at Avalon
November 17^th: Tyler Hilton at The Roxy
November 18^th: Freelance Whales at The Troubadour
November 21^st and 22^nd: Dar Williams at The Hotel Café
December 4^th: Joe Firstman at Saint Rocke
December 11^th: The Black Crowes and Truth & Salvage Co. at Hollywood Palladium

~ Kristen

The Bard Chronicles: Jimmy Eat Word and IAMDYNAMITE at House of Blues 5/17/13

Posted on 7 Hours Ago by Amanda

Jimmy Eat World had better be worth all this. It was a Friday night and I was headed to downtown San Diego. What the hell was I thinking? This is downtown on a Friday night where there will be tons of people from the tourists to the crazy party people and parking rates will be jacked through the roof and lots will be full. How far was I going to have to walk to get to this show? The better question actually was, how long was I going to spend driving around looking for a place to park my truck? It was well over 25 minutes before I found parking but thankfully right across the street and free.

I arrived just in time to find a great spot on the floor and to catch opener IAMDYNAMITE’s set. I happened to catch a song of theirs up in LA at the Viper Room when they played with The Virgin Mary’s. I was intrigued by them and was really excited to see a full and proper set. Although the image of a guy with a guitar and a guy with a drum kit brings to mind The Black Keys, IAMDYNAMITE is nothing like that at all. Despite missing a bass player, they still manage to incorporate that wonderful bass sound (somehow) and the audience is none the wiser that no such bass player exists. They have a vivacious rock sound and are so entertaining to watch. Plus, any drummer who does vocals too is totally awesome. I immediately went and purchased their set was finished. The band came out to give hugs to fans before they had to drive up to San Francisco Awwwwwww.

I had never gotten the chance to see Jimmy Eat World at their height of popularity. I totally missed the bus and take full responsibility. Actually, I think they might have been playing an X-Fest show I was at years ago and I didn’t know who they were so I didn’t pay attention. My bad. This is how I was making up for it. Admittedly, I only know their radio hits and own none of their albums. I just wanted to see this band that has managed to successfully stay around for a decade.

By now the room was hot and sweaty with anticipation. The band took the stage in a timely manner (thank you) and proceeded to rock the entire room from floor to terrace. One particularly drunk and overzealous caused some mayhem when he shoved/crashed his way to the middle of the floor, much to the disdain of everyone around him and a fight almost broke out. Frontman Jim Adkins threatened to put the two in a room together until they became friends. I was highly amused. Needless to say the trouble maker ended up getting removed from the crowd, which proceeded to cheer at security escorting him out. The set was an hour long and they played old material for the long time fans, rado hits for people like me, and a nice sampling from their new album Damage. It was a wonderful set full of highs and lows. Well crafted. With a heartfelt thank you, the band exited stage left and left the crowd cheering for more. I proceeded to run up to the loft/terrace area, where it was much cooler, when they came back out and did a three song encore. Yep, three songs. What an epic evening!